Locomotive head-light



(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet I. A. WILLIAMS.'

LOGOMOTIVB HEADLIGHT.

Patented sept. '30, 1884.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. A. WILLIAMS.

`LOGOMOTIVE HEAD LIGHT;

No. 305,872. Patented sept. so, 1884.

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(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

I. A. WILLIAMS.

LOGOMOTIVE HEAD LIGHT.

N0. 305,872. Patented Sept. 30, 1884.

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I. A. WILLIAMS.

LOCOMOTIVE HEAD LIGHT.

Patented Sept. 30, 1884.

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(No Model.)

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Patented Sept. 30, 1884.

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. A. WILLIAMS.

LUGOMOTIVE HEAD LIGHT. No. 305,872. Patented Sept-..30, 1884.

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(No Model.) SheetsSheet 7.

1. A. WILLIAMS. n LOGOMOTIE HEAD LIGHT. No. 305,872. jc/3 Pate-ng'S/pt. 30, 1884.

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name indicator-plates on the sides ot' the loco- -venienceot manipula-ting the same; and to overcome these objections and improve and y thiIrenl4 eternel Ferner @trice-O nii/'In A. WILLIAMS, 0F UTICA, NEW YORK- LQGO MOTIVE HEAD-LIGHT.

SPECII-CATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 305,872, lated September 30, 188-` l A Application led July 2,1353. (No model.) y

ifo @ZZ-whom, t may concorre:

Be it known that I, InvIN A.. WILLIAMS, o citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county ofUneida and State ot' New York, have invented a new and IxnprovedLocomo tive Henri- Light with Signaling or Indicating Attachments, of which the following, in connection with the annexed drawings and letters ot' reference thereon, is a specification.

Myinvention relates to improvements in locomotive head-lights whereby they are better adapted for displaying either an illuminated transparent danger 'or cautionary signal, `or the number or name of an engine or train' or section of a train, or displaying n. combina tion of ilintninated transparent signssuch as both the number and name oi.' an engine and a signal, or the number or name ol' the engine, train, or section of a train, together with an independently/'located danger or cautionary signal-and by these means enable the lengineer to display` in retti' ofthe front edge or flange ot" the retiector and on the side or sides ot' the head-light case such signals or signs, or both, as will show either the number or naine of the engine, or both, or the number or name or both of the engine, train, or section of av train, or other signal of the engine, traitnor section ot'a train in a very tlistinctmanner while moving, andA this without lessening, borrowing from, or interfering with the necesstiily powerful and direct ibrwardly-thrown Vrays of light of theburnerand main retiector, which are required to be thrown upon they inner reflecting-surfnet?, and thence through the front of the reflector for lighting up theV Attempts lia-vebeen made to dispense with the use oi' signal-lanterns usually carried on the front of locomotives on railroads by employing illuminated signals, and number or.

motive heed-light; but objection exists to the means heretoforedevised for this f purpose on account ot' the feebleness ofthe illumination of the signals and indicators, as well as Vinconenhance the utility of side signaling and indicating heed-lights is the object ot' my invention, which consists Yin certain novel construe` tions and combinations of parts-as hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

My invention has special reference to running night trains on railroads, although it is rnot coniined thereto. ln ruiming such trains `it is a matter of great importance that the employes, telegraphoperators, or conductors shall know whetherengines, trains,forsections ot trains api'noaching or passing them are or not certain engines, trains, or sections ot' trains specified in their tinte-tables or schedules or telegraphic orders; and it is also essential that the engineer of a train shall be able to indicate promptly to au engineer of an approaching train whether his train ison a main track or on a, sidingg or, in other words, it is important that engineers may be able to ineke ull the signals ot' the road from their headlights without the use of signal-lanterns7 tisually carried on the front of locomotives, and without materially diminishing the light neeessery for the illumination ot' the track or interfering with the indications usuttlly made by the ordinary indicator or number or name plates.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a broken sectional perspective view of a headlight or reiiector case for a locomotive, illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is n side view ot' a head-light or reflector case with its signaling side door shown opened, and with its retlector shown in section, while all the other parts are in eleva-tion. Fig. 3 is a vert-ical section ot' the head-licht looking toward the burner, the reflector being shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, in e line above the retiectory and signaling-devices, on one side of the center of the head-light and above the reflector on the other side of said center, and through a signal-glass whichcarries either a.

name or a number, asindicated by the line wat in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a modiiied plan of Fig. l, and Figs. 6 and 6* are modified plans ot' the same, showing a shield or tube around 'the upper part of the glass chimney. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of parts of Fig. 1, showing more clearly the manner in which the plates for carrying either a numberr or a .name and the signal-glasses are iitteol upon the door or sideiot' the heed-light case, also showing the sliding cover for shutting off the light from the signal-glasses. In connection with the construction of the sliding signal-glasses and the sliding covers shown in this gure,aheadlight lcase provided with apertures for the sliding signal-glasses and the sliding covers to be-insignaling-door of the headlight case, showingv more clearly how the different-colored flat glass signals'can be moved up or down past the glass having a name or number upon it, also showing the manner in which the lenses or analogous signals are removably fastened in position. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the head-light case, showing my improved auX- iliary reflector, the burner, and a portion of the main reiiector, and also illustrating by full black lines how lenses may, if found useful, be placed in the rear corners of the case, andby dotted lines in the back of said case. These lenses in this illustration may be used, when necessary, with the main lenses, which are in the sides of the case; but their illumination will be only slight, as they depend upon i such light as is incidentally diffused` in the re- Hector-case and not reilected upon the main signals and indicator-plates. Fig. 12 is an outside elevation of one side or door of my signaling head-light,with a modified arrangement of the movable colored signalglasses, whereby they are operated by handles on the outside of the case. section of Fig. 13; Fig. 13, an inside elevation of the modification shown in Fig. 12. Fig.- 14 is an enlarged perspective view of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an outside perspective view showing another modied arrangement of the movable colored signals. Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is an outside perspective view of a door or side of a case, but showing a modified arrangement of the convex lens, and Fig. 18 is also a perspective view similar to Fig. 17, but showing a modiiication of the signals. Fig. 18* is a detail section of the signal shown in Fig. 18,v with an opaque cap placed in front of it.

In the accompanying drawings, A is the head-light or reflector case,.formed with the usual circular projecting front portion, B, which contains the large central front glass through which the great volume of light from the burner and main reflector passes to light the railroad-track ahead of the locomotive, and with a side door, C. This case in the drawings is shown as formed with another door, C',

but in practical use the portion G is, as usual, made a fixture, or forms a` permanent side of the case, and the reliector with its sliding base or support will be drawn out of the casein Fig. 13* is a horizontaly `ficial results, should be in the form of a paraboloid, or of equivalent suitable shape. The burner-opening a therein should be of substantially the form shown,or of an equivalent form, and should be located below and forwardv 1of the apex of the said reflector in order to have the light of the burner largely exposedl to view from the rear and outside of the reiiector, or to allow light from the burner to pass downward and sidewise out of the` relector D into the reilector-case, and also to permit, when the chimney is adjusted from its seat, the burner to be lighted while within the reflector-case, as described in my Patent No. 235,924. Y

In the side door, C, and side C' of the headlight case A .openings are formed, and in these openings flat plates b b,of glass or other transparent light-transmitting material, are placed, they being fitted in guides and on rests, as c c', so as to be removable when itis necessary to substitute for them other plates of difp ferent character.. These plates I) b respect` ively, are to have either the name or number or other indicator-symbol of an engine or a train marked on, cut in, or afliXed to them in any suitable manner, as illustrated in the drawings.

G G are transparent signaling-glasses or other equivalent light-transmitting devices. These signals may be of White or colored glass, and, as different-colored signals are to be displayed, these colors may be white, red, and green. The location of these signals is preferably below the name or number plate signals bb', and the best form for them is the hollow bulging one'shown in Figs. '3 and 10; but the location and form ofthe signals G Gl may be changed without departing from my invention,provided in all cases the signals and number-plates are set in separate openings and on the sides of the'head-light case in rear of the front edge or flange of the reflector. signaling devices G G are also placed in openings formed, respectively, in the door C and side C of the case A.

The Fresnel7 form of glass signals G G represented has been found to be very effect! ive for signaling purposes, as it is more attractive when illuminated, on account of the large surface afforded by it for diffusing the light from the burner of the head-light; and

while it is preferred by me over any other known form of construction, my invention'is not limited to such form of signals any more than to the precise relative location of the same to the indicator-plates, as any other suit-v able form of signal (plain iiat glass plates,'for insta-nce) may be employed with great benefit IOC IIO

These in the'door or side of the case. These signals G G may be permanently set in position,

or so fitted in position up'on the door C and side' C of ease A as to be removable from the same. YVhenV the signals G G are permaneatly xed, they will be Aof white; glass or other transparent material, andslidiiug plates g g,of glass or other transparent material and ot' desiredeolors-red and green, `for instancewill be used in connectionl therewith, and can be applied to the inside of the case or outside of it; but when'th'e signals G G are removable or changeable, there will be provided for the head-light three glasses, corresponding to that, G, and three corresponding to that, Gf, and these glasses. will be used as follows:` Should a white glass, G, be in use, it will be removed when necessary, and either a. red or a green one substituted; or, should a green one be in use, it willbe removed and av red or white one substituted for it; or, should a red one be in use, it will be removed and a green or white one substituted. for it, and by these means a variety of signals may be produced, as, circumstances require.

From the foregoing description of. the signals G G it will be` seen that I employ as a means for producing danger or cautionary signals either several separate lenses, G or G', of the form represented or other suitable form, andV which are respectively of white, red, `or

. greeucolored vglass or other suitable transparent material, or signals which comprise a plain white glass plate, or a lens, G, of white glass or other material, and dat plates g or g, oi' glass or other suitable transparent material of red and green colors.

The colors of White, red, aud green, which l have mentioned above, may be substituted by other colors adapted for giving the desired signals, and the number of colored lenses G and G', and the number of colored platesg or g', may be reduced or increased, as deemed necessary. For instance, simply a white and red or a white and green, or simply a green or a red lens, or simply a white lens,.G or G', and a green or a red iiat plate, as g or g,n1a be provided.

My invention is not confined to special colers, nor to a spciiic number of different-colored glass signals, Whether oi' lens or ilaty plate forni.

These signals GG, if permanently applied as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, are best made of white transparent material;

and on the inside ofthe door G and side Gf of,

the case A skeleton frames c* are provided, which have guides and rests, as c2 c3, for the transparent i'lat plates g g', of glass or other suitable light-transmitting material of either red, green, orV other desiredmixed color to move in, so as to serve for signaling different colors back of the white bulging signal-glasses G G", or Hat plates of white glass, if such should be in use, occupyingithe places of the signals G G of lens form. The frames upon which the rests ci c3 are. formed arealso provided with guiding-tonguesf, for holding and guiding the grooved sliding` covers Hifi, or other suitable means, which are provided, as sh own, for shutting off the light of the burner from Athe signal-glasses.

Vhen the glasses G G are removable and several different-colored glasses ot? the form of G and G are adopted, the plates g g need not be furnished with the head-light; and in such construction the glasses G G will be fastened in position by the frames c4, which;` may be hinged by one edge and clamped by aturnbutton, f, at the other to the inside of the door C and side C of the case4 A, yas shown in Fig. 10 ot' the drawings.

The hinged frames will have guiding-tongues f and sliding covers Hij, just the same as the permanently-fixed frames, and for the same purpose, as is illustrated in said Fig.. 10 of the drawings.

The flat plate-glass signals g` g', as shown in Figs. 7 and 10, are arranged to slide up and down past the indicator -plates b b ,in the guides c2, while the covers H2 f2 slide transversely on the tongues j", but in practice the glass plates g g may be passed into the caseA from the outside through slots, as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16, and in l. A. and G. I. "Williamss patent. dated July 17, 1883. So also may the handles of the glasses g g and covers H2 f2 (see Figs. 7 and 12) be passed through slots-in the case and both the plates gg and the covers be manipulated from the outside of the case by the engineer.

In the modification shown in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 a Fresnel white-glass lens-such as G oriG'-is represented, one to be used on each side of the head-light case A; but a ilat white glass may be substituted for the same, as illustrated in Fig. 8*. These glasses are permanently fastened in position and on the insides of the white glasses above and below, and on one side a series of guides, c", are arranged for the colored signals g g to slide upon, s o that by means of handles g5, passing` through slots g of the door or side of the head-light ease, either red or green glasses can conveniently he brought into position behind the signal-glasses G G', and thus the signals changed when required; or, il' desired, the signal-glasses g g can be moved back and forth, so as to give flashing signals. Thehaudles are attached to the bottoni of the respective color-signals, and the slots are cut through the ease Aon a hori- Zontal plane with said handles. This is the IOO IIO

makes the white glass opaque, as no light can be seen through the glasses thus adjusted.

:off the light when no signal is required, instead of using the red 'and green glasses for f can `be carried in a box inside the head-light the light from the chimney-opening a ofthe If preferred, a tin or iron slide, as H2 .2, as illustrated in Fig. 7, can be applied to shut that purpose.

In the modication shown in Figs. 15 and 16 the changeable color-signal glasses g or g are arranged to slide up and down behind the lenses G or flat glasses in the guides, as in Figs. 3 and I0; but the4 slots f6 for their entrance and withdrawal are formed in a projecting frame, ct, on the outside of the case, and lips or handles are applied at the top of the glasses g or g. With this construction the red, green, or other colored. glasses are interchangeable, so that any desired color can be used.

The modification Fig. 17 shows a semicylindrical skeleton frame, r6, to be fastened to each side of the head-light case, and constructed so that the Fresnel or plain glass can be dropped into position in the frame and readily removed, so that another color, if desired, or'a metal cover corresponding exactly in form with the glass G, for shutting off the light when no signal is required, can be used.

The different color-signals when not in use case.

The modiiication Fig. 18 comprises 'a series of caps or covers, f8, with different-colored glass applied to them. These caps are fitted around collars or ring-frames f, projecting on the outside of thehead-light case, one on each side, and when no signal is required a metalA cap, G4, Fig. l8 ,.without glass, applied to it, is to be placed upon the projection. These several caps are to be used when required for different purposessuch as showing a red signal or a green one7 or to shut off the signal entirely-and they are secured by frictional bind between signal-frame and collar, or by other well-known suitable means.

My invention is not confined specially to any one of the signaling contrivances described and shown, the same, only being illus trations of the best constructions known to me for carrying out my invention.

H Hl are inclined shields arranged above or in proper relation to the indicator or number or name plates b band the signals G G. These shields have adownward inclination from the door G and side C ot the case A, and toward the main reflector D, as shown, their inner edges being near the reflector, and their forni and location are such that they shut off reii'ectorv from the number or name plates b b in the doorfC and, side C', while they serve for collecting and throwingthe light from the burner-opening c upon the number or name plates b b, thereby greatly intensifying said light and increasing the illumination of the plates and signals.

In Figs. 6 and 6* a collar, H, is shown placed around the chimney-opening a', for the purpose Aof partially or wholly excluding the light from the number or name plates, which i would escapeat said opening were the collar not provided.. By using` the shallow collar, as shown, with the shields, as H H', these shields may be made smaller and ofmore convenient form, vand by using a collar of suffi f H4 might be dispensed with; but it is far more advantageous to use the shields H H either separately or combined with the collar, as they serve, in `addition to their office of. exoluding the ligh/t from the number or name plates, for concentrating or directing the light of the burner upon the signals, and thereby intensifying the effect of the 4light for illumination of the signals.

In the drawings the shields H H are shown hinged at d and sustained by hinged stayhooks d', but they may be fastened in any other suitable manner. Door C .and side C would answer the same purpose. The

.shields H H are not fastened to the reiiector,

but are made to rest upon or along the sides of the same, as represented, and when the door C is opened one of said shields vmoves withit away from the reflector.

I is a curved-surfaced auxiliary reflector, placed behind the main reiiector in the reflector-case, occupyinga place directly opposite the lower or burner opening, c, of thel reflector. This refiector I has adonble-curved surface, and inform it resembles two cyma IOO reversas united end to end, as shown, and its` forward or reiiecting surface is inclined backward from a perpendicularline. The inclined position and double-curved form of the reiiector are such in respect to the burner and IIO signals or indicator-plates that the light of the burner falls upon it at a rightangle, or nearly so, or at the most proper angle, and is reflected forward and upward, so as to i'all directly upon the signals G G or indicators b b. In other words, the light of the burner shows the image of the iiame upon the reflectingsurface at about the two black spots@ e, thus giving the appearance as if'a light or iiame was standing directly behind the signal-glasses G GCT/that is, when a person is standing in front or on the side of the signal and is looking at the signal-glass he sees the reflection of the light or iiame which is shown on the reflector at e e.

The auxiliary reflector requires to be of the proper shape to show a flame on it, so as to p roducethe result stated. Any style of auxiliary reflector will not do it-that is, you cannot in looking through the colored signalglass seethe reiiection of the image of' the iiame shown on the auxiliary reflector unless it is of a proper shape, and placed in proper position, with respect, tothe burner and sig-V na-lse-that is, madejof a doublefcurved form V and inclined., or of other equivalent form and shown.

arrangement which will produce the desired effect.

In Fig. 5 the same combination as is shown in Fig. 2 is embraced, .excepting thatthe colorsignals are not provided in the door and side CC. This View illustrates my novel combination of shields,and also of auxiliary reflector, with a main reilector and number or name. plates.

In Fig. 6 the same combination as that shown in Figs. 2 and 5 is embraced, excepting that the head-light is not provided with the number or name plates b b. rlhis view also shows a collar or tube, H4, applied around the upper or chimney opening, c, for the purpose of excluding the light above the reflector from the name or number plates.

In the construction shown in Fig. 11 the lhead-light case has its rear corners flattened orsquared, and in these corners colored bulls- .eye or othervforxn of glasses Gf2 may be applied; or such glasses may occupy the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. These glasses thus placed Will receive some light from the burner.

4 I am aware that it is not new, broadly, to provide a main reliector of a head-light with perforations for the emission of light for the ,purpose of illuminating'signals; nor is it new to provide asignal and a uuniberplate united on the side of a head-light.

' In a pending application (Serial No. .128,505) of ruine some novel illustrations of the employment of the invention herein claimed are I do not claim in this patent anything which is claimed. in said pending application. A'

Vlhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a locomotive head-light, the combination of a reflector-case, a signal on the side of said case, a burner, anda main redectonwith a burner-opening in it for the burner, and through which said opening the light passes for the illumination of the said signal, substantially as described.

2. 'In a locomotive head-light, the combination ol' a reilector-case,an indicator-plate on the side of said case, a burner, and-a main reliector with a burneropening in it for the burner, and through which said opening thelight is supplied for the illumination of t-he said indicatorplate, substantially as described.

3. In a locomotive head-light, the combination of a redentor-case, a signaling or indicating device on the side ofthe case` a burner, a main redentor having a bnrner-opening in it for the burner and for the illumination of the side signaling or indicating device, and an auxiliary reflector which reflects lthe dame from the burner or the light upon the signal or indicator, substantially as described.

4. rI'he combination, in a head-light, of a reflectorcase, Aa signal, a. main reflector having a burner-opening` in it forthe burnerv and `for the illumination of the signaling de vicein rear of the front of the reflector-case, aburner, and au auxiliary reflector which is doublecurved, whereby the reliection ofthedame can.' be seen on looking at the signal, substantially as described.

5. The combinationmith alocomotive headlight comprising a rellectorcase, a burner, a in ain redentor, and a signaling or indicating device on the side of the redector-case. or" an auxiliary neector, I, which is constructed and applied to present a double curved and inclined surface to the flame or light supplied from an opening in the main reflector, and

which shows the refiection of the ila-me upon the auxiliary reilector, and reflects the dame and light obliquely upward and forward upon the signal or indicator device, substantially as described.

6. A. locomotive head-light comprising a reflector-case, a burner which supplies light for track and signal illumination, a perforatedV reflector in which the burner is set, and a plurality of colorsignals supported on the side ofthe case, which signals can be adjusted on their supports, so as to be made to coincide or not coincide with one another, andineans for controlling the light, substantially as described.

7. In a head-light provided on its side with a color-signal having a removable cover, amain burner and a main reflector perforated for the passage of the signal-illuminating light, and. an auxiliary reiiector double curved, as described, whereby when the cover is removed the reflection ofthe llame can be seen on lool@ ing at the signal, substantially as described.

S. A locomotive headlight Vcomprising a reflector-case, a series of interchangeable signals for use on the side of said case, a burner, and a main reilector having an opening in it for the burner and for passage of light for illumination oi' the side signals, substantially as described.`

9. A locomotive head-light comprising, in combination,a reflector-case, a transparent indlcating device applied on the side ofthe case, a perforated main rellector, a burner, and a shield which bothv excludes the light at the chimney-opening in the main reflector from the indicating device, and concentrates the light passing` up from the opening in the reflector upon the said device, substantially as described.

l0. The combination of the shield H and the shield and light concentrator H, with the redentor-case, transparent indicating device on the side ofthe said case, a perforated main reiiector, and a burner, substantially as described.

11. A headlight provided with a series of color-signals on its sides, which can be moved on supports past one another from the outside of the reflector-case, and which signals are IOO IOSV

IIO

illuminated by light supplied through a perl the emission of light for` the .illumination of forated; reflector from a, burner which supthe signals', and zu burner, substantially as deplies light for track-illumination, substanscribed.

tially as described. IRVIN A. WILLIAMS. 5 12. Alocolnotive'head-light comprising, in Witnesses:

colnbination@J reflector-case having color-sig-` CHARLEs I. WILLIAMS,l

nals in its rear end, a reiicctor'pelfforated for v JAMES E. HALL. 

